Colorado

[outdoorbry]

I'd really like to start learning more about hunting out of state. I've been looking at Colorado for their OTC Archery Bull tags. I've looked at units 71, 74,  and 76. Any tips you could share in a reply or an email to me on these units would be huge! Public vs Private property, terrain, etc...

 

[Bryan]

Good luck getting anyone to share details on specific units.  I posted a similar thread back in November...still waiting for someone to offer their insights.

I would suggest taking a look at the Colo. DOW harvest numbers for the specific units you're interested in. I would also highly recommend giving a call to the DOW offices forthose units.

 

[outdoorbry]

Good point. I guess I really didn't expect too much activity on my post. I should have worded it more along the lines of what resources are used by people to learn about areas they've never been to but want to hunt.

 

[Bryan]

I am also looking at 71 for 2016. PM me if you want any further info.

 

[usmcvet]

Outdoorbry,
I hunt Colorado from out of state. I've hunted a couple different public locations & they all get significant pressure. It is a bit disheartening to be out in the woods & see other hunters, but such is the beast with public land hunting. That being said most people who've put the leg work in become extremely private and territorial of their areas.
There's a couple things you can do to help choose some spots. Use the CDOW interactive map. Look for the concentration areas of elk for the summer(archery), winter(rifle) & focus in on those areas. Then look to see if it falls on public land, & is there access to it. Once you meet that criteria then you start to see areas elk might be. Look at harvest statistics from each GMU. North face slopes(dark timber), higher altitudes early in the season. Are there water sources? Meadows? Use topo maps to find the lay of the land. Understanding how to read topo maps will help you decide if it's accessible or if you'll be mountaineering. Use Google Earth to get an idea of vegetation.
It's the best you can do until you get boots on the ground, however maps don't lie & if you do your research you should be in pretty good shape. When it's all said & done you'll feel good you did it all on your own.

 

[outdoorbry]

thanks for the replies fellas!

 

[ILbowhntr]

Buy a ticket to a RMEF banquet in your area. Most guys there are a little more forth coming in person when they figure out you're not just some jack-leg that's going to show up camped next to them. Heck you might even get an invite. You'll also be helping out a great organization.

 

[birddog]

go to http://diyhuntingmaps.com/ they have the option of signing up for 5 days for a free trial with letting you print off 5 maps a day. also have unit comparison and statistics

 

[ILbowhntr]

Just FYI, 76 is not a OTC Either sex archery unit. Hunted 80 in 2014, saw bulls but they were quiet.

 

[antler addict]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[windymtnman]

Unit 76 is one of Colorado's trophy units, and takes a lot of preference points to draw a tag in that one.
On the other hand, you can still hunt the Southern portions of the Weminuche, which is unit 77. 
I live in the mountains of nearby unit 80, and have areas I hunt and don't see another hunter.  You just have to know where to go!